Page 65 of Sheltered By Love

Since Zane is done talking, I let him get the fire going and clutch the nearest pillow to my chest.

It’s ridiculous. I’m a grown woman. I shouldn’t be thinking that a house that has weathered goodness knows how many of these terrible gales would suddenly blow away.

Rationally I know that’s unlikely. But my nerves are shattered, my emotions are running too high, and I refuse to give in to the impulse to run upstairs and hide under my covers.

Zane isn’t bothered by the horrible groaning the house is making. Nor does he seem bothered by the debris blowing around outside. Or that Viola is alone and unwell.

He doesn’t even seem worried about losing power again. He’s simply accepting it all with a calmness I don’t understand.

I can’t exactly tell him I’m starting to freak out and that I really don’t want to be alone.

Whatever that kiss was about, he’s made it clear it was a mistake he won’t be repeating.

Roger’s ears are more sensitive than mine so I get off the couch, and after a quick cuddle, place him in his cage, and in the pantry where the quiet and dark will hopefully calm him.

If Zane wasn’t here, I’d probably find a cupboard to hide in myself. Wait out the hideous roaring outside.

I bump into Zane as he enters the kitchen. After an awkward dance, so we don’t touch each other, he thrusts a package into my hands.

“Put these in,” he half yells at me.

Ear plugs.

I should have thought of it sooner.

While he looks for food, I unwrap the package, follow the instructions, and push the orange foam into my ears.

Instantly, the horrendous noise abates, leaving only a faint trace of the wind wreaking havoc outside.

Zane catches my eye and points to the door. He’s so muted, that I can barely make out what he’s saying. “Go check on the fire.”

I do as he says, leave him to make us lunch, and wander down the hallway, reveling in how quiet everything is.

After mentally adding ear plugs to my shopping list, I open the fire box and carefully load more wood inside.

Now I have a cell phone, even if it is borrowed, I should probably give it to the nursing home, and to Nicki for occasions like this.

I get up off the couch, ready to locate the phone given to me, when Zane appears looking dire, and waving his phone to get my attention.

I rip my earplugs out and catch the last part of what he’s saying.

“—down and there’s no cell coverage,” he yells.

From the expression he’s wearing, I know it’s bad.

“What’s down?”

“The phone lines. I’ll have to run next door and get my CB radio. You’ll have to hold the back door shut for me,” he yells.

My eyes widen as I look outside. “Are you crazy?” I shout at him.

But he just sets his face and turns to go, expecting me to follow him. “Are you crazy!” I repeat.

Either he didn’t hear me or he’s so determined to carry out his insane idea he’s ignoring me.

I push the earplugs into my jeans pocket and hurry after him, grabbing his arm to try to reason with him. “You said we couldn’t go outside,” I shout.

He doesn’t remove my arm, just places his hand over mine. “I need to be able to contact Levi and Garrett. If anything happens, we’re on our own,” he yells.

---